Forever mourning loved ones lost in the attacks

Name: Susan C. Russo
Age: 48
Hometown: Pearland, Texas

My brother lost one of his best friends (who worked for Cantor Fitzgerald) when the first plane slammed directly into his office floor.

I remember Bob from our college days. He left behind an awesome wife and two beautiful children. It's still so difficult to grasp that such evil exists in our world.

My life was transformed in a very simple way... Each year, I "adopt" a different Fire Station and on every anniversary of 9/11 I personally deliver flowers to the Captain and his crew, I hug them and tell them "thank you for what you do everyday.”

I don't know them and they don't know me, but we are all connected. It's my way of giving back to a world that so desperately needs the help. And it's my silent tribute to all who were effected on that horrendous day in history. It's nothing grand or glorious that I do. It's a simple act of kindness..the way things used to be...the way things ought to be.

***

Name: Mark Berger
Age: 41
Hometown: Ossining, N.Y.

My life was changed by 9/11. First, I lost one of my best friends ever. This is the guy I was living with before I moved in with the woman who would later become my wife. He was like a brother. He died when the towers collapsed.

Following that however, came the next big change. I found I could no longer work in NYC anymore. I was constantly nervous. Sounds of planes in the sky froze me. Loud noises made me jump. I was staring at everybody trying to figure out who was a terrorist and who wasn't. Not a healthy way to live.

Nine months after 9/11 I quit my job and decided I would only work closer to home (in NY's Northern suburbs) and away from the city. I was out of work for nearly 4 months, yet even with offers to go back to NYC, I couldn't and wouldn't.

Lastly, I think I have been in NYC maybe only a dozen times since then. I have no interest in being in NYC. I feel like it is almost a strange place to me now and no rebuilding or memorial will ever make it the same.

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